Song reviews

You don’t often find melody in an indie rock song these days but Finland’s Varvara use that usually missing link to decorate their song “Identical” to fine effect. Notably smooth vocals keep the mood reflective yet rather uplifting.

Mid-paced songs burning with emotional intensity seem to be this week’s fashion with “Another 20 Seconds” by Circumnavigate being another example albeit one distinguished by Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen’s rather wistful voice.

Obviously aimed at the mainstream market, Glasgow’s Anna Sweeney ticks all the radio friendly boxes with her mid paced song “Wind and Fire”. Many have tried the same approach but, with the right promotion, she might just give the people what they want.

Plenty of power chords, riffing guitars and an edgy beat keep “Cruel” going but the chorus isn’t really big enough to make this the song that gives Twin Jackal the break they want.

Downbeat and full of introspective emotion, “Blame” fits neatly into the bleaker end of the Scandi electro pop genre that seems to be enjoying popularity at the moment. TWIMM handles himself with conviction but maybe the times need something more upbeat and positive.

The more I listened to “Time Will Wait For You”, the more that I liked it even though I can’t quite figure out why as this kind of ethereal indie pop normally leaves me cold. Israeli band Hillhar are therefore due credit for making something interesting when they could have settled for something mundane.

You’re never too old (or too young, it would seem) to disco and Robotikus successfully replay that post Studio 54 vibe with their song “Continental Lovers” while adding in enough funky bass and electronic keyboard sounds to make it as authentic as you can get today.

“Star Run” is a straight down the line singer songwriter type song although Julius Way determinedly tries to evoke the long lost days of psychedelic folk music instead of the mediocrity of the modern day.

No one will accuse Illyin Pipes of being a sunny day band on the basis of their song “Daylight Confidant” but, whilst being downbeat to the point of being bleak, there is still more than enough heart in the performance to allow you to take the song into your playlist.

“Delicate Lines” takes urban back to the edge with a passionate female voice neatly balanced by the robotic anguish of the backing track. Kudos are duly due to TrYb for making it seem, unlike so many of their contemporaries, that it isn’t all about the money. I wait with anticipation for their next song.

All that it takes to be a modern day pop song can be found within the four and a half minutes of “Sirens” with Gold Fir providing evidence that the pursuit of plastic perfection need not be an emotion free musical journey.

Sheila K Cameron has always followed her own path and “All You Really Need Is the Sea” is all the enticement that those of you with mature musical tastes and an appreciation of the subtleties of her poetic lyrics will need to follow in her footsteps.